Why Great Leaders Know To Listen And Teach Others
Experience Has Taught Me | How Couples Inspire Each Other & Why It Is Admirable to Lead By Example | Why Listening and Teaching Are Essential Skills for Raising Future Leaders
October 12, 2024
Editorial -
- The PossibilistMost of us have two functioning ears and one mouth. The ears are for input, and we all need it. This week’s issue is all about INPUT. Leadership is one of the most misunderstood subjects in business and in the home. Many other places as well.
One of the things I’ve enjoyed most about having thirty companies is all the people, events, and opportunities I’ve had to practice my leadership skills. Believe me, when I say it takes practice. In this issue, we’ll talk about that and just as importantly, the outcome of successful leadership. Stay with us, please…
Experience Has Taught Me
By:
- The PossibilistIt’s impossible to lead without listening. A good leader doesn’t make decisions in a vacuum, and no one should. Every decision affects others. I know you want to disagree, but think it through—every decision we make.
Many leaders would struggle to lead people to a bathroom with a sign on their back. People don’t want someone hovering over them; they want to know where it is.
If we listen to the people we’re leading, including our children, they’ll tell us what they need.
Once we know what someone needs, we have two options: we can tell them, or we can teach them in a way that allows them to expand on their own thoughts and what you’ve taught them.
“You can give someone a fish because they said they’re hungry, or you can teach them to fish, and you’ve given them a gift that will feed them the rest of their lives.”
How Couples Inspire Each Other & Why It Is Admirable to Lead By Example
By:
We have all been exposed to the couple who constantly bicker. Can we agree that it is not attractive and, in fact, stressful to be around them? These are not happy, healthy couples and, therefore, do not empower or inspire other couples.
Great leaders are quiet and unassuming. The happy couples who compliment and appreciate each other are a great example. I only have a couple of friends who are lovely to be around as couples, and that is because they lead by example. They never speak poorly of one another, and it is clear they cherish each other. It inspires me to want a similar relationship.
This is the school of life. We may or may not have been taught great examples of relationships by our family, but we have the chance to rise above. Sometimes, we learn more from being around people who set positive examples than we do through words. Some of the best teaching is silent action.
What Does It Mean To Lead By Example in Relationships
You speak highly of one another and never put each other down or make jokes at each other’s expense.
You are affectionate with each other in public, but not to the point where it makes others uncomfortable.
You are interdependent, and each enjoys your own hobbies and identities.
You are a magnet to other healthy couples because everyone desires a healthy relationship.
Practice active listening. We have two ears and one mouth because we need to listen more and speak less.
Be willing to take helpful criticism from your partner and work together to resolve conflicts quickly.
Final Thoughts
When you are happy as a couple, it shows through your energy, words, and actions. It has a significant impact on your children as well as friends and family. You cannot fake being happy and healthy; it has to be authentic. It will eventually show if you try to put on a show in front of the public but are unhappy behind closed doors.
Power couples who appreciate and understand each other know how to listen and support their partner actively. Lead by example and let your actions motivate those around you.
Why Listening and Teaching Are Essential Skills for Raising Future Leaders
By:
It’s fascinating to realize that the principles of leadership aren’t just applicable to the boardroom. We can also reflect on applying them in our homes. One of the most important lessons I’ve learned during my corporate job, before having kids, is that great leaders know how to listen and teach others. This became a parenting philosophy that transformed my approach to raising my children.
Listening is an art that I strive to master every day
With three unique personalities in my home, each child has their own thoughts, feelings, and perspectives. It can get wild!
When I take the time to truly listen to them, whether it’s my youngest sharing her latest poem learned in kindergarten or my middle child expressing frustration over homework—I’m not just hearing their words and nodding, not anymore.
I’m validating their experiences by actively listening.
I look into their eyes, at their face level, and show my children that their voices matter. When they feel safe to express themselves, they share more from their day and thoughts. It can get tiring, hearing three chatterboxes competing for attention, but it is also incredibly satisfying, knowing that this helps their emotional development.
When we, the parents, listen to them actively, it teaches our kids the value of empathy and understanding. They learn that leadership is about creating space for others to share their thoughts. It’s a superbly empowering lesson to grow with.
Actions speak louder than words
As a mother, I aim to lead by example. This requires a lot of self-awareness, with which I am still struggling with sometimes. When I encounter challenges, though, I do my best to demonstrate problem-solving skills and emotional resilience.
For example, we started a new type of discussion in our family about chores or responsibilities. I encourage my children to voice their opinions and contribute ideas, because if they come up with their own, they would feel more empowered. This also teaches them how to collaborate and negotiate, two essential skills for any future leader.
Teaching unfolds in everyday moments
I do my best to find those opportunities to teach my kids lessons during our daily routines. When cooking together, for example, we all learn teamwork and patience. During our Friday family game nights, we improve our sportsmanship and strategy skills.
When my children make mistakes, I still get triggered. It does get easier though. In those moments I breathe and take a few steps away from the place where they spilled milk, for example. I count to five slowly and then go back with a calm face. I learned this 5-second rule from Mel Robbins’ podcast and it changed my life!
Each such moment is a teaching opportunity for both my kids and us, the parents. We don’t apply punishment like in the old days, because that is a temporary solution. Instead, we guide them through problem-solving, encouraging them to reflect on what went wrong and how they can improve next time. We tried this many times and noticed how this approach builds their confidence while instilling a growth mindset.
Raising independent thinkers capable of leading themselves and others
I often encourage my kids to take on responsibilities appropriate for their ages. I show them and offer them options, teaching them how to get motivated and encouraging them to be curious. Tasks like managing their own homework schedules or helping with meal planning foster accountability and decision-making skills.
I remind them of the importance of helping others succeed while also growing themselves. It’s tricky but entirely possible to teach kids that they have the power to influence their own lives and the lives of those around them.
As my children grow, I hope they carry these lessons with them, understanding and integrating them. After all true leadership lies in empathy, collaboration, and the willingness to learn from one another.
Great leaders are nurtured through love, guidance, and the simple act of listening. And we can do this with our kids, raising an empowered generation of leaders with kindness and creativity. As a mother leading by example, I am proud to be part of this beautiful process of growth—for both myself and my children.
Thank you for reading. I appreciate your comments and thoughts on this topic.
Libby: “Listen more, speak less.”
DR: “Not everything you see is exactly what it appears.”
Gabby: “Raise future leaders with love, guidance, and through the simple act of listening.”
Thank you for reading,
Dr. Gabriella Kőrösi, Founder
P.S.
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I rather they teach me, not tell me.
I agree. Life is the best teacher.